Williams Group has announced a senior management reorganization whereby Gilan Cockrell, OD, FAAO, the company’s executive vice-president of corporate strategy, will assume the role of chief executive officer effective March 31, 2015.
Brad Rourke, CPA, now serving as current chief executive officer, will transition to the role of chief financial officer.
“Dr. Cockrell joined Williams Group in February 2014, and since that time has brought an extraordinary amount of value to Williams Group and our clients,” Rourke said.
“With Dr. Cockrell’s experience as a highly successful doctor and his knowledge of the profession and my background in finance, Williams Group and our clients will be better served with this realignment of roles.”
Prior to joining Williams Group, Dr. Cockrell owned a private practice in Kansas, served as president of the Kansas Optometric Association in 1998 and chairman of the State Government Relations Center for the American Optometric Association in 2007, and co-founded the Eye Care Council and “See to Learn” program. Dr. Cockrell has also received numerous awards within his profession. He recently completed nine years of service on the Kansas State Board of Examiners in Optometry.
Along with corporate finance responsibilities, Rourke will take a more active role in the wgFinancial bookkeeping and payroll service and assist with brokerage services in the wgTransitions division. “We have a tremendous opportunity to help our clients in both of these high-growth areas,” Rourke said.
“The company is committed to providing the most effective and comprehensive practice management solutions and services for its clients,” Dr. Cockrell said. “I couldn’t be happier with the opportunity to lead Williams Group into the future. Williams Group has increased its capacity to explore the best business management practices across industry lines. Our clients and their patients and staff are benefitting from the implementation of those practices. Improved profitability and time management open the door to many possibilities. We would be honored to assist you in creating the ‘Optometric Journey’ of your dreams.”